Reuben Brown

Hailing from the deep south of Aotearoa New Zealand, Reuben Brown is the 2025 New Zealand Assistant Conductor-in-Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia. In this role, he debuts with the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, and assists visiting and resident conductors.

Reuben made his New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) conductor debut in 2023 with Christmas Brass at Te Papa Museum of NZ. Following this, he has assisted NZSO Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New on multiple programmes. As a 2022 - 2024 NZSO Conducting Fellow, Reuben was mentored by Musical Director Emeritus James Judd and Principal Conductor-in-Residence Hamish McKeich, alongside visiting conductors André de Ridder, Stéphane Denève, & Miguel Harth-Bedoya. He has recorded four new works by Aotearoa-based composers as part of the NZSO/CANZ Composer Workshops, conducted the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, and NZSO Tamariki Time & Open Doors touring concerts.

As a performer, Reuben is a euphonium musician with the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, and in Aotearoa’s premiere band, Wellington Brass, where he is the Associate Musical Director. He recently conducted the band for an entirely NZ music programme to champion the 2024 Wellington District Contest for the second year running. As the 2022/2023 Musical Director of the National Secondary Schools’ Development Brass Band, he continues to advocate for young brass talent.

A honours graduate of Te Kōkī – New Zealand School of Music, Reuben co-created Wellington’s Gallery Orchestra, performing in unique collaborations and locations, and in 2023, conducted the ensemble for a yet-to-be-released album with Kiwi artist Arjuna Oakes. Other conducting engagements include the Manawatu Sinfonia, Virtuoso Strings Orchestra, Dunedin Youth Brass Band, St Kilda Brass Band, Te Kōkī ensembles, and numerous Wellington ensembles.